UPS, union blame each other for breakdown in contract talks as strike looms – National | 24CA News
The Teamsters Union stated on Wednesday United Parcel Service “walked away” from negotiations over a brand new contract, a declare the delivery big denied, lobbing its personal accusation that the union had stopped negotiating.
The two sides traded salvos in early morning statements as they try to return to an settlement to forestall a strike when the present contract, which covers some 340,000 employees, expires on the finish of the month.
UPS employees have already licensed a strike ought to the talks break down. Such a labor motion could be the primary since 1997 for UPS employees, in a strike that lasted 15 days.
Both the union and firm officers have stated earlier than that they wished a deal finalized to forestall a strike, which might put thousands and thousands of each day deliveries in danger.
“The Teamsters have stopped negotiating despite UPS’s historic offer that builds on our industry-leading pay,” the corporate stated, including that the union ought to return to negotiations.
The union had earlier within the day stated UPS made a proposal that was unanimously rejected and that the corporate had “walked away from the bargaining table.”
“UPS had a choice to make, and they have clearly chosen to go down the wrong road,” stated Sean O’Brien, normal president on the Teamsters, which represents roughly 340,000 full- and part-time U.S. drivers, bundle handlers and loaders on the firm.
The 1997 nationwide strike disrupted the provision of products, value the corporate $850 million and despatched some clients to rivals.
UPS sweetened its provide final week, however O’Brien stated it didn’t go far sufficient to reward employees who risked their lives to maintain packages shifting in the course of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic that fueled large earnings for UPS.
Labor unions of late have been motivated by stronger bargaining energy with corporations grappling with labor shortages for the reason that pandemic.
“Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy,” UPS stated on Wednesday.
Shares of UPS had been down 2.6% earlier than the bell in gentle volumes.
